Omar Artan, who was scheduled to become the first Somali to referee a World Cup final, was removed from the referee list after being denied entry to the United States.
Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Male Referee of the Year, is currently in Turkey after being banned from entering the country at Miami International Airport.
U.S. immigration officials have not released a reason for Artan’s extradition, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by Donald Trump’s administration.
After speaking with U.S. authorities, FIFA said Artan would not be able to participate in the tournament.
“FIFA confirms that match referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will not be able to train or officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry to the United States,” FIFA said in a statement.
“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration procedures, including visa screening, and we have been informed by the authorities that Mr. Artan’s status will not change at this time.
“As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately decides who receives visas and who enters their country.”
A senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports confirmed to the BBC that entry had been denied and said Artan had traveled with valid documents.
An official at the Somali embassy in Nairobi told the BBC that Artan’s diplomatic passport was specially issued to facilitate his travel after previous visa problems.
Artan said in a statement to Reuters that despite the circumstances he was feeling positive and focused on the next challenge.
“I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support and I am committed to continuing to raise the standard of refereeing in the future,” he said.
“I am grateful for the messages from my football family and wish my colleagues the very best of success during the World Cup and look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”
The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has contacted FIFA requesting urgent clarification.
Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House World Cup task force, told the BBC World Service: “I can’t discuss derogatory content, but I can say that it was the right decision by Customs and Border Patrol, and I support that decision.”
Artan was one of 52 referees announced by FIFA to referee the World Cup finals between Canada, Mexico and the United States, to be played from June 11 to July 19.
Artan, an official of the Somali Football League Championship, became a FIFA referee in 2018 and officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
